Go to 556 powder?

[Mikej]

VihtaVuori N135 Smokeless Rifle Powder (8 lbs)

VihtaVuori N135 Smokeless Rifle Powder (8 lbs) by VihtaVouri Product Overview Developed originally for 7.62×51 NATO M80 Ball, Vihtavuori’s N135 is today a universal gun powder which is used by reloaders for a large range of calibers from .222 Remington to .458 Winchester Magnum. The N135...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

Shape: "tubular"? H-335 is a small Ball powder and measures excellent in the RCBS powder thrower without needing to weight each charge. that's a BIG deal in my book. Being an RCBS user and all.

 

[Spitpatch]

H-335, and, because someone/something said so, CCI/Winchester 41 primers because of "reasons". It was suggested that because my off the shelf AR built by Curt's Discount Shooters supply barrel twist that I should try heavier bullets. 69gr RMR pills did shoot better in both our ARs.

For the AR guys with twists for the longer bullets that want a bit more zip and expansion (Coyote hunting, etc.), the Nosler 55g Ballistic Tip is a pretty darn long bullet (owing to it's huge forward cavity and solid copper base). Comparable profile (and rifling contact surface area) to heavier bullets.

A bullet with a reputation for extreme accuracy that agrees with most guns. In my experience with the .223, a reliable killer on game to the size of Mule Deer.

 

[2ndtimer]

Shape: "tubular"? H-335 is a small Ball powder and measures excellent in the RCBS powder thrower without needing to weight each charge. that's a BIG deal in my book. Being an RCBS user and all.

While I have yet to try N-135, I have used Benchmark, IMR8208XBR and Accurate 2015. All are extruded (or tubular) and being very short cut meter pretty well in my Uniflow powder measure. Not as precise as H-335 or Ramshot TAC or other spherical or ball powders, but frequently can be loaded from the powder measure without trickling. (I do weigh each charge for precision but the variation isn't enough to be dangerous).

 

[Mikej]

While I have yet to try N-135, I have used Benchmark, IMR8208XBR and Accurate 2015. All are extruded (or tubular) and being very short cut meter pretty well in my Uniflow powder measure. Not as precise as H-335 or Ramshot TAC or other spherical or ball powders, but frequently can be loaded from the powder measure without trickling. (I do weigh each charge for precision but the variation isn't enough to be dangerous).

Yeah, that's curious. My info is only from loading some of the serious "Stick" powders. H4895, IMR 4064. Though I'm not an uber "Precision" shooter, I do like to know I'm being exact with my loads. When I started loading I passed on partial bottles of Bullseye and Unique because of their flaky nature.

 

[wombatz]

24 replies and no BL-C(2)?

It is all that I have used. It seems to work and I thought it is/was a standard for 5.56, but there might be a good reason that nobody is talking about it.

 

[2ndtimer]

24 replies and no BL-C(2)?

It is all that I have used. It seems to work and I thought it is/was a standard for 5.56, but there might be a good reason that nobody is talking about it.

My personal experience was that it used more powder per load, wasn't as accurate, lagged in velocity compared to other powders and didn't burn as clean as other powders. I used up my one pound and never considered using it again.
P.S. my experience with 4198 was reversed, but similar results.

 

[2ndtimer]

Yeah, that's curious. My info is only from loading some of the serious "Stick" powders. H4895, IMR 4064. Though I'm not an uber "Precision" shooter, I do like to know I'm being exact with my loads. When I started loading I passed on partial bottles of Bullseye and Unique because of their flaky nature.

I share your experience with 4895 and 4064. The powders I referenced were much shorter cut and meter much better. Still, I settled on TAC, because it meters perfect, has a de-coppering agent, works well with bullets from 40 to 77 grains and (when I bought mine) was more affordable than the others. It also seemed less touchy, pressure wise than my previous favorite, H-335.

 

[FelixEstrella]

Win748 and SRM (CCI 450) primers.

 

[FelixEstrella]

24 replies and no BL-C(2)?

It is all that I have used. It seems to work and I thought it is/was a standard for 5.56, but there might be a good reason that nobody is talking about it.

I've tried both, and BL-C(2) is slower than Win748 for the same powder mass. Here're some graphs for effect. (X-axis is powder mass in grains. Y-axis is velocity)

 

[64MercurysRule]

C'mon, who doesn't like getting their gopher tickled ever now and then?

 

[RVTECH]

My personal favorite is Ramshot TAC.

Ditto this.

I don't shoot .223 nearly as much as I once did but several years ago gave TAC a try and I am getting excellent accuracy with it.

It 'meters' very well but I still weigh each charge for accuracy.

 

[Ben B.]

TAC works for me in everything I've loaded in .223 and .308. I use Benchmark for 50 gr VMAX bullets in .223 for a slight accuracy gain over TAC. But if all I had was TAC, I'd be fine for .223 and .308.

 

[DirectDrive]

CFE223 meters very well, with consistent powder drops, and shoots fine. I like IMR 4198 for accuracy, but you need to weigh each drop being stick powder. These are with 55 gr bullets. CFE223 can usually be found in stores, which helps.

Very important for the new reloader to understand "meters well".
Especially when smaller charges are involved.

Also, if possible, choose a load that will not allow a double charge without the tell-tale spilling out of the case.
If that's not possible, say with plinking or pistol loads, stay alert and verify your powder drops.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

Very important for the new reloader to understand "meters well".
Especially when smaller charges are involved.

Also, if possible, choose a load that will not allow a double charge without the tell-tale spilling out of the case.
If that's not possible, say with plinking or pistol loads, stay alert and verify your powder drops.

Very good advice, DD!
I have made it a habit to always inspect the powder load in each and every case after it is charged. If the height looks wrong, too high or too low in the case, I dump it and recharge it.

 

[arrowshooter]

Me, H335 and CCI 400. When the 400's start to loosen up, I switch to CCI 450's since they have a thicker cup and seat tight again.

Powder measure wise, I use the "Small" or Pistol drum in my Uniflow when using the H335 in all applications. The smaller hole for the adjuster allows a bit more accuracy with the throw. Also, these drums have the Micro Adjusters and I can go back to a noted setting and it is typically right on with the H335 and similar powders that I use.

 

[Mikej]

Me, H335 and CCI 400. When the 400's start to loosen up, I switch to CCI 450's since they have a thicker cup and seat tight again.

Powder measure wise, I use the "Small" or Pistol drum in my Uniflow when using the H335 in all applications. The smaller hole for the adjuster allows a bit more accuracy with the throw. Also, these drums have the Micro Adjusters and I can go back to a noted setting and it is typically right on with the H335 and similar powders that I use.

I use the small drum too with .223. I also give just another half second or so with the rhythm of the the handle to make sure.

 

[Ifishsum]

I use BL-C(2) for 52gr to 69gr OTMs mostly, with CCI450 magnum primers; it meters beautifully and for some reason has always done just a little better (accuracy-wise) than any other ball powder I've tried. I haven't personally tried some of the newer powders yet though, I just keep buying jugs of BL-C(2) when I need to . It's gone up but not as much as many other powders.

 

[Mono1]

Kinda surprised nobody uses H4895.

With 69 gr projectiles, seems to be the ticket for me.

 

[Mikej]

I use BL-C(2) for 52gr to 69gr OTMs mostly, with CCI450 magnum primers; it meters beautifully and for some reason has always done just a little better (accuracy-wise) than any other ball powder I've tried. I haven't personally tried some of the newer powders yet though, I just keep buying jugs of BL-C(2) when I need to . It's gone up but not as much as many other powders.

That's the beauty here. For the vast majority of reloaders/shooters numerous powders with similar burn rates will work for us.

 

[DLS]

People actually reload that pipsqueak gopher tickler?

If you are talking about yhe .22 Hornet ... then yep!

Remington 6 1/2 and Lil' Gun.